''Calcutta Gazette'' was an English newspaper in Bengal founded by Francis Gladwin, a colonial officer, in 1784. It was one of the first newspapers in India.
History
The ''Calcutta Gazette'' was founded by Francis Gladwin, an officer in the
British East India Company
The East India Company (EIC) was an English, and later British, joint-stock company founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874. It was formed to trade in the Indian Ocean region, initially with the East Indies (the Indian subcontinent and South ...
, and an
orientalist. Its first issue was published on 4 March 1784. The newspaper became an important medium for the publication of public information. The ''Gazette'' initially charged the government for advertisements but stopped after the government provided the ''Gazette'' with free postal circulation and free postage. The government withdrew this in 1787. In January 1787, Francis Gladwin gave control of the company to Arthur Muir, Herbert H. Harrington and Edmond Morris. The three were civilians involved with the newspaper. In June 1815 the ''Government Gazette'' was created by the Bengal Military Orphan Society. All government advertisements were diverted to the ''Government Gazette'' from the ''Calcutta Gazette''. Private advertisers also left the newspaper and advertising revenue declined. Employees at the newspaper went on strike. In June 1818 the Calcutta Gazette was sold to the owner of the ''Calcutta Morning Post'', Heatly. On 29 September 1818 Heatly stopped publication of the ''Calcutta Gazette'' in favor of a new newspaper founded by
James Silk Buckingham
James Silk Buckingham (25 August 1786 – 30 June 1855) was a British author, journalist and traveller, known for his contributions to Indian journalism. He was a pioneer among the Europeans who fought for a liberal press in India.
Early life
B ...
called the ''
Calcutta Journal''.
References
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Publications established in 1784
Publications disestablished in 1818
Defunct weekly newspapers
Defunct newspapers published in India
18th century in Kolkata
19th century in Kolkata
1784 establishments in British India
19th-century disestablishments in British India
Culture of Kolkata
English-language newspapers published in India
Gazettes